What 1,516 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was sluggish and was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that parts were not available to repair the open recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567445

As I was backing into my driveway on Thursday 1/18/2024 @ 5:25 pm. I was on my way home from work. As I was backing into my driveway I lost power, the ABs and the MIL light both came on, the abs went off but the MIL began to flash and I lost all power in the car. I shut it off immediately and we pushed my car the rest of the way into the driveway. I had received a KIA Safety recall notice that said if this happens, Call KIA, immediately to request a tow to the nearest Authorized dealership. Was told they cannot perform this task and that I need to wait till tghe figure out the recall before they will help me. I have no vehicle to get back and forth to work now and KIA is refusing to help me.

NHTSA ODI 11566982

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine light warning was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 137,513. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11566564

I was driving my car to work when my check engine light came on and starting flashing. I made it to work just unable to go over 30MPH because it felt like it was in fail safe mode. That afternoon I spoke with KIA Affairs and the lady advise me to go to autozone and get it diagnosed after work. Well after work I went to go to autozone and barely made it half a mile before it felt like it was going to die. so i turned to go back to turn around to back to work in the parking lot next door. When I turned it felt like i had no control over where my car was going like i had no traction control even though i did not hit any patches of ice.

NHTSA ODI 11566603

I was driving. Without any warning or any noticeable prior issues my car was smoking very bad from the hood. Once parked I opened the hood but can not tell where it is coming from. When I crank it the smoke starts again.

NHTSA ODI 11566198

When I was driving my SUV engine light came and there was some noise then engine stopped working. Then didn't turn on. It was very bad.

NHTSA ODI 11566152

i was driving home from work on 12/22/23 when all of my dashboard lights came on and my engine died. I was in motion when this happened. I put the hazards on and put the car in park and tried to restart it. As I was doing that I was hit from behind by another vehicle. I suffered a concussion that lasted almost 2 weeks. My car being totaled not due to the damage from the accident but the diagnosis that the engine "blew". My insurance company had it towed from a body shop to a salvage yard. I have kept the maintenance completely up to date and put close to $4000 into it last year for normal use items. There was an oil leak that ruined my starter - that was repaired. I am now without a vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11565459

The ABS, downhill assist, and engine light stay on constantly, even though the clock spring has been replaced and multiple car repair shops are unable to diagnose a “problem.” When driving, the vehicle seems like the engine is getting extremely hot and starts to sputter and even cuts off at times. There are currently recalls on 2011 Sorentos for fire risk while parked and fire risk while driving. However, my VIN is not included in the recall for fire risk while driving, but I believe it should be based on the inability to diagnose a problem with my engine. Vehicle is well maintained. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11564822

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while reversing out of the garage, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was out of the garage. The contact stated that the turned off the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of black smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The contact stated that he attempted to disconnect the positive battery thermal but was unable to do so. The contact stated that he applied a fire extinguisher to the engine compartment; however the smoke persisted and the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire then extended to the entire vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle had burned to the ground and remained at the residence. The vehicle was totaled. A fire department report was filed. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11563493

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the interstate, the RPM dropped to 0. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while pulling off the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562973

I'm supposed to park my 2011 Sorento outside and away from structures, and not drive it until Kia comes up with a part/solution to fix the engine compartment fire issue relating to NHTSA Recall # 23V652000 (manufacturer recall # SC284XM). This warning was issued Sept 25th, 2023. It's now been over 3 months. Am I supposed to walk everywhere, use a Ride Share service, or take public transportation??? If Kia won't fix it, they should give me another vehicle to drive....or purchase the vehicle back from me for what I paid for it in 2022, less 1 year's depreciation.

NHTSA ODI 11562305

Was driving on highway doing 85 and all sudden no warning no lights no nothing my car started loosing power and dropped speed as I'm trying to give it gas it is loosing speed almost caused me to wreck got to side of highway and it just died and the are saying my engine needs replaced had no warning

NHTSA ODI 11557576

While driving, the front end of the car made a thud sound and vibrated, the lights on the panel came on, the engine light, battery light, key light, and the steering wheel locked up. This happened 3 times in a week. If we had been going faster it could have caused an accident because of car suddenly slowing down and loss of steering. After turning off and then back on it worked again but never know when it could happen again. Yes my car is available upon request. No codes come up when our mechanic diagnosed it, hasn't been to a Kia dealership yet, can't get in until Nov. 6. Refer to article "2011 Kia Sorrento's problems with sudden surging and engine stalls led to 7 investigations, 6 recalls." My mechanic referred us to this article as he thinks our car has a related problem. This problem happened without any warning.

NHTSA ODI 11550583

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 152,250.

NHTSA ODI 11541704

When I started out with the car it drove alright then I had to take it back and forth for the wiring smelling like it was burning but have never caught on fire thank goodness had to get a tuneup spark plugs and it still doesn’t work right

NHTSA ODI 11536599

On 4 l’âne Highway travelling the 70 miles per hour speed limit. My car felt like it ran over something in the road - there was a big jolt and my car shook. It was the engine / transmission slipping. There was NO WARNING. Very SCARY and DANGEROUS especially at 70 miles per hour. Immediately the CHECK Engine light illuminated. This engine / transmission problem is all over the Internet for the 2011 Kia Sorento. Kia has not taken responsibility for the issue with this year’s model. Yes - it has been duplicated e we hen i was driving around town - same jolt. The service center has stated that the engine / transmission is probably failing. Not fair for a consumer who takes good care of their car and my car is in very good condition.

NHTSA ODI 11534872

My car is stuck in Limp mode and saying " Glow Relay Stuck On". When I googled it there's a recall for this issue for 2012-2014 Kia Sorento, but not 2011. I just wanted to make sure it was noted Incase mine was able to be added to the list.

NHTSA ODI 11529772

My vehicle engine chatters uses oil with out leaking and going up hills the transmission stays in 1st gear

NHTSA ODI 11520808

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted off the roadway, stopped the vehicle, and shifted to park(P). The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for five minutes before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Communication: SC106 (Engine Control Module). The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11516732

Having Transmission problems. I just bought this car and have had allot of problems with it right now I’m having as I’m accelerating the gear gets stuck and rpm’s rav up and suddenly the gear goes into place and the car just goes fast suddenly this is a really dangerous situation I can’t accelerate right the fluid is good but just wanted to let you guys know of this problem

NHTSA ODI 11512630

When vehicle slows down to a stop, the engine fails. No check engine light is illuminating. Have taken it to a Kia dealer who does not know what is wrong with it. The car is still available for inspection. The vehicle has done it several times. The Kia dealer said it was unsafe to drive and so they have kept it. Kia is unwilling to look further because the mileage is 4,000 over warranty. There are several recalls for this problem yet, Kia states that they are not for my VIN number therefore I don't qualify. The recalls are for my year, make and model of my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11510637

I just got this car and it haseven been 30days I read the NHTSA Action Number: DP21003 and it is exactly same problem. It started with spark plugs weak and changed them out then AWD check engine light oil and the battery light came on. And the car wouldn’t move as fast and had a code of P0336 which was the Cranckshaft sensor got that changed and I’m still having issues with accelerating and rpm’s going up without pressing the gas pedal hard and suddenly speeding

NHTSA ODI 11510229

This vehicle has a antifreeze in oil tank and the gasket is going. the dealer said this was fine when they sold it to us and it is not fine. i would like this fixed and i paid over 10 thousand for this car. they said they changed the oil and the 2 weeks after i got i had an oil change and it was mixed with antifreeze in the oil pan

NHTSA ODI 11508397

Timing chain tensioner is defective and should be recalled. On cold start ups, the engine has a really loud rattling noise for a few seconds and goes away. Has been recalled on other Kia models except for the Kia Sorento why Kia chooses not to include the Kia Sorento should be of concern. Kia should be held responsible for their mistake. I have called the dealership and they do not take responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11508096

The engine will not turn over. It was leaking oil. We refilled the oil. Then it stopped running. We had to tow it to our home. All maintenance and regular scheduled repairs were kept up to date.

NHTSA ODI 11506290